Monthly Archives: December 2014

Community energy progress

Our Energy Services Company (ESCo) has been taking shape this year. It now has a name – Redhill & Reigate Energy Ltd – and the legal business of setting up the company is under way.

We even have the beginnings of a first project (although we need to keep that under wraps for the moment).

The next few months look set to be pretty exciting, and although we have a small and committed team taking the ESCo forward, we would be delighted to hear from anyone else who would like to get involved. Drop us an email if you would like to find out more (info@transitionredhill.org).

Come to our Xmas party

We are taking a seasonal break from our usual Transition drinks this month, and organising a Christmas curry. We will be joining our friends from a couple of other local green-minded groups on Monday 15 December at the Everest Spice restaurant in central Redhill. All welcome, but we do need to know in advance so that we can tell the restaurant how many people to expect.

Gatwick Airport consultation

In November, the Airports Commission published for consultation its assessment of proposals for additional runway capacity at Gatwick and Heathrow airports.

The consultation presents the commission’s analysis of the proposals shortlisted by the commission last year: 2 for expansion at Heathrow Airport and 1 proposal at Gatwick Airport.

An extra runway at Gatwick would have very significant impacts on the surrounding area, so we think that as many local people as possible should be given a chance to have their say.

The consultation is open until 3 February 2015. Click here to find out more and to respond.

Many organisations, such as AirportWatch and the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign(GACC), contend that not only that there is no business case for a new runway at Gatwick Airport, but that there is no need for increased runway capacity anywhere in the South East.

AirportWatch and GACC are planning to publish guidance on the best way to respond to the consultation.

In Brief

The Woodland Trust have free tree packs to give away to schools, communities and youth groups for spring 2015. See here for more information.

Our food group supplier, Sutton Community Farm, is currently recruiting a part-time Sales & Marketing Representative. See here for more information (please note that the closing date for applications is this week – 5 December).

Freedom Food (the RSPCA’s farm assurance scheme) have asked us to publicise their annual Compassionate Cook competition, which is running until Monday 12 January 2015. To be in with a chance of winning, entrants film their favourite simple dish using Freedom Food ingredients and upload the video to the Freedom Food website. See www.freedomfood.co.uk/cook for more details.

Dates for your Diary

Saturday 6 December – CND Fundraising Concert. Scientists have warned that nuclear weapons pose the single biggest threat to the Earth’s environment, so Transition members might be interested in this fundraising concert by the local CND group. 8pm in St Joseph’s Church Hall, 122 Ladbroke Road, Redhill RH1 1LF (Map). Details here.

Saturday 6 December – Say No to Plastic Bags stand, High Street, Dorking 9:30am – 1:00pm. Our colleagues in Transition Dorking will be highlighting the hazards of single-use plastic bags. This short video – “It’s a plastic world” – explains the issues.

Saturday 13 December – Acoustic Music Session at The Garland. Monthly acoustic music session at The Garland, Redhill from 3pm-6pm. A very informal session involving musicians of all standards. All welcome. See this page for details.